Shoulder strap for cushion support of a case or the like

ABSTRACT

A shock-absorbing device or two such devices are provided between a load such as a case or bag and a shoulder strap and can include a spring to prevent or limit the shock transmission to the shoulder strap.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional application 60/544,917 filed 12 Feb. 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shoulder straps, and, more particularly, to a shoulder strap providing a cushioned support for a luggage article such as a case or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Frequently it is desirable to provide some resilience in a shoulder strap when the latter is used to support, for example, a heavy case or other luggage article. While shoulder straps may be used to support a variety of articles, all of which can be considered within the definition of a “case” as that term is used herein, it is intended to particularly include within that definition anything which may be relatively heavy and which, when carried, may require some cushioning in the support between the strap and the carried article. These include brief cases, business cases, computer cases, attache cases, garment bags, backpacks, school bags, sports bags, diaper bags, mail bags, shoulder harnesses generally, tool belts, instrument cases, rifles, shotguns, tool cases, power lawn equipment and camera cases.

In all such articles it is not uncommon to provide a D-ring, i.e. a loop providing an attachment and the article and a strap. That loop may be used to affix the strap to the case, may be part of a detachable connection, e.g. may have a hook or other structure engageable with a ring, or can be permanently affixed to the D-ring by a loop or like attachment member.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved shoulder strap system whereby shocks and loads can be cushioned between a case, bag or like load and a shoulder strap.

Another object of this invention is to minimize discomfort in the carrying of heavy cases or bags.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved attachment between a shoulder strap and a bag or case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These objects are attained, in accordance with the invention by providing between the shoulder strap and the load, usually a case or bag, a device containing at least one spring interposed between the attachment member securing the device to the load and the engagement member securing the device to a shoulder strap, the spring being prestressed or stressed only when the load is supported by the shoulder strap and resiliently resistant the weight, impact or shock provided by that load.

According to a feature of the invention, at least one of those members is a D-ring or loop through which a strap can pass and that D-ring is affixed or resiliently connected to a housing containing a spring.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the housing is provided on the shoulder strap or the case or load and a hook is displaceable relative to the housing against a spring force. In another embodiment of the invention, a D-ring is displaceable relative to the housing and one or more springs bias that D-ring toward the housing.

The housing itself may be formed as or provided with a D-ring and the spring force may be provided by one or more springs, preferably stretched in compression. As a general matter any kind of spring can be provided, matched to the load which is to be taken up by the device and to the housing. In addition to compression springs, tension springs, torsion springs and even bodies of elastomeric material can be used. The spring device can be on the case or load and connected to the strap or along the strap and on one side of the shoulder loop or both sides thereof.

More particularly, the invention includes a device for cushioning force transmission to a shoulder strap which comprises:

-   -   a first member connectable to a load;     -   a second member connectable to a shoulder strap;     -   a housing between the members; and     -   at least one resilient body in the housing and deformable upon         application of force thereto for cushioning force transmitted         through the device to the shoulder strap.

In a particular embodiment, the first member has a D-shaped loop adapted to be affixed to a bag, the housing having a rectangular configuration and being attached to the loop, the device further comprising a slider received in the housing, the second member being engageable with the slider, the resilient body including at least one compression coil spring braced between the slider and the housing.

The invention also comprises a carrying unit which comprises:

-   -   a case;     -   a shoulder strap affixed at ends thereof to the case; and     -   at least one but preferably two devices for cushioning force         transmission to the shoulder strap and interposed between the         shoulder strap and the case at one end of the shoulder strap,         the or each device comprising a first member connected to the         case, a second member connected to the shoulder strap, a housing         between the members, and at least one resilient body in the         housing and deformable upon application of force thereto for         cushioning force transmitted through the device to the shoulder         strap.

The invention has been found to be highly effective in limiting the shock to the shoulder should the case or load suddenly drop out of the control of the user. This is the situation in the event of a fall or other sudden loss of control of the load carried by the user. The cushioning devices can be provided at the ends of the shoulder strap or between the ends of the shoulder strap and the point at which the shoulder strap is supported on the shoulder of the user. In fact, the device need not be affixed to the case or load directly but can be located anywhere along the length of the shoulder strap which, if desired, can be cut to receive the shoulder strip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The above and other objects, features, and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing a case provided with a shoulder strap in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partly disassembled of a snap hook device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating this device in an elevational view;

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of another force take-up device according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing the shoulder strap loop and slider of the device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the assembled parts of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the blocker;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the slider in greater detail;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of another embodiment of a force take-up device which can be inserted between a strap and a load; and

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a force take-up device which can be inserted between two parts of a shoulder strap in accordance with the invention.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1 I have shown a case 10 which can represent any load to be supported by a shoulder strap 11, generally in a region 12 resting upon the shoulder. The shoulder strap 11 is shown to be connected by two shock-absorbing or cushioning devices 13 and 14 to the case 10. While in the embodiment illustrated, the two devices 13 and 14 are shown to be different devices, the same kind of device may be provided at each end. The device 14 is a device similar to that of FIGS. 2-4 while the device 13 is similar to the device of FIGS. 5-9.

The device 14 includes a snap hook 15 engageable with a ring 16 on the case. The device 13 has a D loop 17 which is attached to the case 10 by a strap 18 passing through that D loop and stitched onto the case. In the event of a shock from, for example, a sudden drop of the case 10, the energy of that shock will be partly dissipated by compression of the springs within the devices 13 and 14 and those devices will prevent the shock forces from being transmitted fully to the strap 11 and thus prevents stress where the strap 11 passes over the shoulder at 12.

As can be seen from FIG. 2 which illustrates a snap hook arrangement similar to that shown at 14, the shock cushioning device comprises a D-ring 20 which has a bar 21 over which a position of the shoulder strap can pass and which can thus be secured to the shoulder strap. A housing 22 is formed on the ring 20 and receives a shank 23 of a snap hook 24 in addition to a coil spring 25. The ring 20 has holes 26 through which rivets can pass to secure a cover (not shown in FIG. 2) for the housing 22. The deflectable finger 27 of the snap hook has a pivot 28 and is biased in the counterclockwise sense 29 as seen in FIG. 3 against the force of a torsion spring, the legs of which are visible at 30 and 31 in this Figure.

As can also be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the coil spring 25 is braced against an inwardly turned end 32 of the housing 22 on the one hand and against a shoulder 33 of the shank 23 on the other so that the spring urges the hook toward the bar 21. When a pulling force is exerted on the snap hook, the shank 23 pulls out of the housing and the spring 25 is compressed, thereby absorbing a load applied on the shoulder strap from the case.

In FIG. 5 a device of the type illustrated at 13 is shown and this device comprises a case 40 which has two case parts 41 and 42 which can ultrasonically be welded together. The case is provided with a loop 43 which can be secured to the bag or case via the strap portion 18 previously mentioned and passing through the loop 43. The case, in turn, receives a slider 44 having two feet 45 and 46 with centering studs 47 on which coil springs 48 and 49 are centered. The coil springs, at their upper ends, bear upon inwardly-turned portions 50, 51 of the case so that, as the slider 44 is drawn away from the loop 43, the springs are compressed and the springs tend to displace the slider 44 from the loop 43. A loop 52 engageable with the shoulder strap has a pin 53 with a head 54 engageable in a keyhole slot 55.

Another spring 56 biases a blocker 57 toward the slot 55 and engages a boss 58 in the larger end of the keyhole slot to prevent withdrawal of the head 54 from the slider 44 until and unless the boss 58 is pressed downwardly to allow the head 54 to clear that boss and be removed from the larger portion of the keyhole slot. The blocker 57 also has a pair of lugs 59 (FIG. 8) engageable in windows 60 of the slider 44 (FIGS. 6 and 7) to prevent misalignment of the boss 58 with the larger opening 61 of the keyhole slot.

By filling this larger opening, the boss 58 prevents movement of the keyhole slot into a position in which the head 54 can a be removed.

It will thus be apparent that when a sudden load is applied at the loop 43, the springs 48 and 49 will cushion transmission of that load to the shoulder straps and will in part dissipate energy of that load. The two devices 13 and 14 thus cushion surges of forces created by the spring carrying the case because of not walking in a smooth pattern, running or walking briskly, stepping off curbing, walking up and down stairs and wherever there is a surge of force. The housings can be sealed, where desired, to prevent incursion of water or contaminants.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, a snap hook 70 has a D-ring 71 through which an end of a shoulder strap can pass, that end forming a strap loop which can be stitched closed. The snap hook has a hook portion 72 and a spring-biased paul 73 which can be deflected to allow that hook to be snapped onto a loop 74 of a member 75 which can be retracted into and extended from a housing formed between an upper body 76 and a lower body 77. These bodies have channels 78 (only the channel in the body 77 being visible) in which the shank 79 of member 75 is guided. The shank 79 is closed by a bight 80 with a formation 81 receivable in an axial spring 82 which fits between the two bars 83 and 84 of the shank 79. The other end of the spring is engageable by a transverse formation 85 of the housing 76, 77.

In operation, when a pull is exerted on the loop 74, the member 75 is drawn out of the housing 76, 77 and the spring 82 is compressed between the projection 85 and the spring seat 81. The housing may be affixed to a case and the resilient action is similar to that of the embodiments previously described.

The device shown in FIG. 11 is intended to be provided between two parts of a shoulder strap, the webbing of one part being inserted into a slot 86 of a U-shaped body 87 while the webbing of the other part can be inserted through the slot 88 of a loop 89, also of U-shaped configuration. The shanks 90 and 91 of the loop 89 can be received in the tubular parts 92 and 93 of the body 87 and can carry springs 94 and 95 which are braced between cap nuts 96 and 97 fitting over and sliding on the shanks 90, 91 and attached to the ends 98 and 99 of members 92 and 93. The other ends of the springs 94, 95 are braced against spring retainers 100, 101 fitted onto the ends of the shanks 90 and 91. Consequently, after assembly, a pull exerted on the loop 89 will cause the springs 94 and 95 to compress progressively as the loop is pulled out of the body. In all cases the relative movement of the loop and the body causes the spring or springs to compress and store some of the kinetic energy in the shoulder strap and the case or between the point of force application by the user and the load. 

1. A device for cushioning force transmission to a shoulder strap, comprising: a first member connectable to a load; a second member connectable to a shoulder strap; a housing between said members; and at least one resilient body in said housing and deformable upon application of force thereto for cushioning force transmitted through said device to said shoulder strap.
 2. The device defined in claim 1 wherein one of said members is connected to said housing and the other of said members is displaceable relative to said housing, said resilient body being interposed between said housing and said other of said members.
 3. The device defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said members is in the form of a D-ring.
 4. The device defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said members is in the form of a hook.
 5. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said resilient body is in the form of a spring.
 6. The device defined in claim 5 wherein said spring is a compression spring.
 7. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said housing is generally cylindrical.
 8. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said housing has a rectangular configuration.
 9. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said first member has a D-shaped loop adapted to be affixed to a bag, said housing having a rectangular configuration and being attached to said loop, said device further comprising a slider received in said housing, said second member being engageable with said slider, said resilient body including at least one compression coil spring braced between said slider and said housing.
 10. The device defined in claim 9 wherein said slider has a keyhole-shaped slot adapted to receive a head of a pin on said second member.
 11. The device defined in claim 10, further comprising a blocker biased into said slot and preventing withdrawal of said head therefrom.
 12. The device defined in claim 11 wherein respective springs are provided along opposite sides of said slider and are braced between feet of said slider and said housing.
 13. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said first member is a ring adapted to be attached to a bag, said housing being affixed to said ring, said second member having a shank extending into said housing, said resilient body comprising a compression spring on said shank and braced against said housing.
 14. The device defined in claim 13 wherein said second member is a snap hook.
 15. A carrying unit comprising: a case; a shoulder strap affixed at ends thereof to said case; and a device for cushioning force transmission to said shoulder strap and interposed between said shoulder strap and said case at one end of said shoulder strap, said device comprising a first member connected to said case, a second member connected to said shoulder strap, a housing between said members, and at least one resilient body in said housing and deformable upon application of force thereto for cushioning force transmitted through said device to said shoulder strap.
 16. The carrying unit defined in claim 15 wherein said first member has a D-shaped loop to said case, said housing having a rectangular configuration and being attached to said loop, said device further comprising a slider received in said housing, said second member being engageable with said slider, said resilient body including at least one compression coil spring braced between said slider and said housing.
 17. The device defined in claim 16 wherein said slider has a keyhole-shaped slot adapted to receive a head of a pin on said second member, said device further comprising a blocker biased into said slot and preventing withdrawal of said head therefrom.
 18. The device defined in claim 17 wherein respective springs are provided along opposite sides of said slider and are braced between feet of said slider and said housing.
 19. The device defined in claim 15 wherein said first member is a ring attached to said case, said housing being affixed to said ring, said second member having a shank extending into said housing, said resilient body comprising a compression spring on said shank and braced against said housing.
 20. The device defined in claim 19 wherein said second member is a snap hook.
 21. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said housing is provided with a stop forming said first member and is connected with said load, said resilient body is a spring in said housing engaging said stop, and said second member is a loop provided with a shank slidable in said housing and engaging an end of said spring opposite the end of the spring engageable by the stop.
 22. The device defined in claim 21 wherein one of said members is a U-shaped member provided with a pair of shanks and said resilient body is a respective spring on each of said shanks, the other of said members being formed with a pair of tubular elements constituting a housing and receiving said shanks and said springs for enabling compression of said spring with progressive separation of said members. 